Outdoor Canada’s gun guy appraises your vintage firearms

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Can you give me some information on this old handgun (above), which I’ve had for a long time? The only identification I can find on it says it’s a Ranger No.2. I believe it’s a .25 calibre. It’s missing some small parts, which I’d love to replace. I need to see an intact gun so I can find out what’s missing. I hope you can help.

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BRIAN STRONG

MIDLAND, ONTARIO

Your revolver was made by now-defunct Hopkins & Allen, most likely before 1900. It should be chambered for the .32 long rimfire cartridge. Try contacting www.gunpartscorp.com for a schematic, and possibly parts. I wouldn’t be hopeful about finding parts, however. And if they do exist, they would likely need fitting. Alternatively, having parts made would be prohibitively expensive. Finding ammunition would also be difficult, if not impossible. Even when this gun was new, it was intended for use with black powder only. I wouldn’t fire it even if it were in new condition, much less the condition it now appears to be in. Frankly, any money you put into this gun would be money wasted. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

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